An Investigation of Eating Cookies for Weight Loss - Abs Uncrunched Show Episode 3
November 7th, 2008 · Filed Under: Abs Nutrition
So I didn’t plan on doing another entire Abs Uncrunched Show dedicated to the diet where you eat cookies for weight loss.
But after reading one readers’ comments about how much weight she has lost by eating cookies, I come to realize she just doesn’t get it.
And its not just her - millions of people who are on fad diets like this one just don’t get it.
So I decided to investigate further to see exactly what are the ingredients in one of these cookies anyway.
And how much do they cost?
So let’s back up a bit.
First let me show you what Jennifer wrote. She is the reader that advocates eating cookies for weight loss.
She wrote…
“I’m one of (name of doctor withheld) Arizona customers and I’ve lost 35 pounds on the (name of diet withheld)(25 in the first 6 weeks). One thing I love about this diet is it’s so convenient. Sure, if I had the time and money to eat the way you recommend I wouldn’t need cookies, but with these you just grab a bag in the morning and go. I used to hit the drive-thrus and binge often but the cookies have retrained me into eating some protein every few hours. (Name of diet withheld) customers are encouraged to eat lean proteins like chicken, fish or turkey plus lots of vegetables, and we also take a multivitamin and mineral pill (a supply comes with the cookies). The 800 calorie dinner is in addition to the cookies which have 90 calories, 5 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber each. Now that I’m at my goal weight I use the cookies in between meals to keep me from getting hungry and help me make the right food choices. As for the taste, they’re not very sweet because they only have 2 grams of sugar, but they’ve eliminated my sweet tooth. The Oatmeal Raisin are my favorites. Don’t knock the (name of diet withheld) it may not be for everybody but it’s what I needed to drop four dress sizes and feel good about how I look.”
I had a lot to say about what Jennifer wrote; please watch the show to see what I had to say because I got pretty fired up about it.
Please note: My initial video was removed as I received a letter from the law firm representing this company that promotes eating cookies to lose weight threatening legal action.
Jennifer I’m sorry to say, but you, like millions of other people, have been duped into throwing away your hard earn money to this fad diet.
I hope you take it to heart the message in the video.
Please note: My initial video was removed as I received a letter from the law firm representing this company that promotes eating cookies to lose weight threatening legal action.
I am saying these things to genuinely help you.
I did some research to investigate the ingredients of these cookies and how much they cost, since Jennifer claims that is expensive to eat healthy.
Here are the ingredients that is in one of the oatmeal raisin cookies.
WATER, GLYCERIN, WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, CRISP RICE (RICE, SUGAR, SALT, MALT), OATS, SOYBEAN OIL, MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE, RAISINS, MILK PROTEIN, VINEGAR, MODIFIED PALM OIL, BROWN SUGAR, BEEF PROTEIN HYDROLYSATE, EGG WHITE SOLIDS, WHEY, CANE SUGAR, WHEAT FLOUR, LEAVENING
(SODIUM BICARBONATE, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, CORNSTARCH, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, CALCIUM SULFATE), WHEAT BRAN, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, SALT, CINNAMON, NUTMEG, FD & C YELLOW #5, CALCIUM PROPIONATE (PRESERVATIVE).
ALLERGY WARNING: CONTAINS MILK, EGGS, SOY, AND WHEAT.
Now I ask you - are these ingredients full of nutrients and healthy?
Or are they lacking essential vitamins and minerals, and are unhealthy?
What do you think?
As for the nutritional label, here’s the pertinent information:
Serving Size: 1 cookie (24g)
Servings Per Container: 6 cookies
Calories: 90
Total Fat: 2.5g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 150mg
Total Carbohydrate: 11g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 2g
Protein: 5g
These cookies are very expensive too.
It costs $60 for a week’s supply of these cookies. That’s $240 a month - just on cookies!
Meanwhile I pointed out in my video that I had recently purchased 6 organic apples from Whole Foods for $2.
With her $60 that she spent on her week’s supply of cookies, Jennifer could have bought 180 apples!
Moreover Jennifer says she doesn’t have time to eat healthy.
How long does it take to:
…grab an apple
… grab a handful of almonds
… cook 1 minute oatmeal
… grab a hard boiled egg.
Not long, that’s for sure.
Please note: My initial video was removed as I received a letter from the law firm representing this company that promotes eating cookies to lose weight threatening legal action.
At the moment, I can’t show you the video, but…
…please leave your comments. I need to know what you think.
Have an amazing weekend.
Scott
November 7th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Scott-
You are 100% educational and informative while maintaining your passion throughout this video. I especially love your challenge about good healthy foods costing too much and even pointing out how fast and easy grabbing an apple, nuts, or carrots can be while also suggesting boiling eggs on a Sunday or perhaps making One Minute Oatmeal!!! These are yet again Priceless Points!!!
This one statement you make alone says it all:
“How Can The One Body We Are Given In Life, Not Be Worth The Time to Take Care Of It.”
Amen’ To That Brother!!! =)
Another key point.. The Grocery Receipt vs. The Cookie Cost… Very Good Comparison!!! Way to do your homework! When you break down the math and cost, it’s black and white.. No excuses can be made about good food costing more than those darn cookies!!
Lastly, don’t hold your breath about the Doctor knocking at your door anytime soon. He’s already made his millions and obviously doesn’t care about the Real Health and Well-Being of others.
Luckily, with your help and educational videos/blogs, the truth about living a healthy lifestyle is getting out and if you save just one person from buying into these bogus diet plans, You’re Actually Saving and Prolonging Lives!!
Good work my friend..
November 7th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
[...] Original post by Scott Colby [...]
November 7th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
[...] is the original post: An Investigation of the Cookie Diet for Weight Loss - Abs … Categories : [...]
November 7th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Hey Scott,
Jennifer made the fatal mistake of violating the Arnold’s second commandment, as well as several others to a lesser extent:
http://bootcampfx.blogspot.com/2008/11/10-commandments-of-weight-loss-from.html
Pity.
November 7th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Hey Scott,
I think this is your best post ever, by far. Well done. You are SO on target here.
People can lose weight on just about ANY hair brained diet. The problem is, once they go back to their “normal” way of eating (the way that got them overweight in the first place), the weight comes back.
For some reason, so many people think it’s expensive and difficult to eat healthfully. You gave great explanations on how this is just not so.
I hope a ton of people see this video!
Becky Williamson
http://www.beckywilliamson.com
November 7th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
This is a good example of a natural weight loss program that stresses the importance of diet and exercise. Soy Protein
November 7th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I cannot believe that in 2008 people still believe in those scams …. hello get real all these fads are rip offs. So I think Jennifer should take a trip to her local market and get some fresh produce maybe she would see that multivitamins are of no use when you eat the proper foods and notsome bogus cookies.
November 7th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Cookie nutrition sounds like just about anything you would get in a “normal” cookie…generally speaking.
Dayum! $60 A WEEK for cookies? Man for that I can buy a crap load more food…and good stuff too! Not only that it would also last overall much more then a week.
I can only hope for Jen’s sake that with this diet she ends up keeping the weight off in the long run. Otherwise like any other diet, it’s a waste of time and money.
November 7th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Hey Scott,
Great points there. There’s no shortage of bullshit going around in the S&C and nutrition world. Thanks for bringing this to my attention, I always enjoy those bogus fad diets, but the truth is, they all take advantage of a massive laziness in people by making them think it’s easier this way. Can the cookie diet work? Most probably since protein bars are often not much better off than those cookies, but than again thinking of them as food is not the right thing. But they’re convenient. They’re easy. See the pattern here?
This MadTV skit sums it up better than I can: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKs0oEIVOck
Enjoy!
Patrick Gagnon
November 7th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
people will do anything to avoid eating healthy foods. i think i’ll start my own fad diet, called the egg white pancakes diet!! no wait, the miracle apple diet!
an apple a day does keep the doctor away!!
who knew?
keep it up scott! good job
November 7th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
[...] GM-free food news by Scott Colby [...]
November 7th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Great stuff, Scott! Most people are just unwilling to change. People just assume eating healthy means you have to give up taste which is the furthest from the truth.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
The only way for that diet to work is if your extremely overweight (read: OBESE) which is the situation with most americans now. The mere mention that she lost several dress sizes tells me already that she was very fat and eats too much. ANY DIET would have worked to an extent. But once she starts to plateau. that’s when the problems begin
November 8th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I think that Jennifer, like many people in our country, believes that thin=healthy, thus since this diet has helped her to get thinner, it must have helped her to get healthier. Because we are told over and over that overweight=unhealthy, then we assume that the opposite is true, that normal weight=healthy, which is not *necessarily* true. Your video is great. But I think you missed the point of telling her that just because she lost weight, that doesn’t make her suddenly healthy, especially eating that, um, stuff that she’s been eating.
November 9th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Well done Scott!
Her poor body (like so many others) will reek havoc as a result from her lazy decisions. People who choose artificial foods over natural- don’t care about the long-term. Their focus is shallow & I wouldn’t trust them with anything if they can’t even look after their most important asset! I watch people’s fuelling & movement patterns & if they cut corners here… they’ll do it in other areas too!
Get real Jennifer & you won’t regret it!!
Thank you for staying true & stating it how it is Scott- You are a FABULOUS influence.
November 9th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Scott;
Do you feel a little attacked Jennifer? It is true what is being shared!Your body will suffer in the long run!I speak from experience!I was in a wheelchair and given two months to live ten years ago from making unhealthy eating choices and today I am disease free but it took three years for my body to heal itself by eating wholefood products!!I needed 24 hour care so Jennifer your problem is not a major one but from your choices you are making now this problem could turn into a major one through time!Take the time to take care of yourself!There is only one person who will benefit from this Cookie Diet and it will be Dr.Seigal,who will have your money!Our bodies will adjust to whatever we force it to eat!Be kind and gentle with your digestive system by eating fruits and vegetables!Helen
November 10th, 2008 at 11:01 am
SC is on fire! I love it! The toughest part of this is it’s a freaking “doctor” who is selling them this crap. People see that it’s a “doctor” and they are more apt to believe them.
I mean really, a “doctor” wouldn’t steer you wrong, right? ha!
November 10th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Hey Scott
Your right eating a 800 calorie dinner of lean protein and vegetables would be a massive amount of food. Very unlikely that a female that is only eating cookies throughout the day can put down 800 calories of lean protein and vegetables in one sitting.
You and I have talked about healhty EASY nutrition on numerous podcasts. The reality is it is EASY and CHEAP to eat healthy and we provide that information on your blog and on my blog at http://www.dress-size-reduction-blog.com.
Great job in calling people out. It is time to look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself. Am I really do everything I can to eat healthy and lose weight?
Jayson
November 10th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Ruth
http://www.infrared-sauna-spot.info
November 10th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Thank you everybody so much for the comments. I love this interaction.
Ruth - welcome to the blog. I’m glad you found it.
Scott
November 11th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Hi Scott,
Great video! btw, out of curiosity, boiled eggs have the same nutritional value as (for instance) scrambled eggs? what it would be the best way to eat eggs, keeping the most nutritional value?
Thanks for keeping me motivated.
Ruben
November 14th, 2008 at 10:04 am
[...] Scott Colby put an intriguing blog post on An Investigation of the Cookie Diet for Weight Loss - Abs …Here’s a quick excerptSo I didn’t plan on doing another entire Abs Uncrunched Show dedicated to the Cookie Diet for weight loss. But after reading one readers’ comments about how much weight she has lost by eating cookies, I come to realize she just doesn’t … [...]
November 17th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
When are we going to realize fast can be fatal, and that losing weight using fiberless, vitaminless, fat-based, artificial anything is food nutritionally that can be the death of your health? Big deal, so there are fewer calories, your body can’t sustain itself on less decent food a day. A cookie with the ingredients you listed is fine for a once in a while treat, but day in and day out as many times as you feel an impluse to eat is not going to do your arteries, brain, or muscles that much good. Sounds a lot like the candy diet to me.
November 17th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
This is terrible..another fad diet! And it seems to have been invented for profit. There is no way in you know where that i am ever going to pay $60 bucks for 6 cookies. I got this extra fat that I am trying to get rid of Now.. eating the cheap 2 dozen for $2 dollars package. Scott keep up the good fight for those of us who knows that it takes dedication,commitment, correct information regarding our health and common sense to get and stay healthy.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Scott,
Congrats on speaking out. One thing not being mentioned too much is the havoc this kind of behavior wreaks on blood sugar and food sensitivities/allergies. This is a refined and a processed food. You are right she (like many,many people) just don’t get it. Maybe they never will. The 3% rule? There will probably always be a segment of the population who takes the time and makes the effort to learn the real science of nutrition and exercise and what it can do for you. The rest just won’t.
There are many ways to “lose” weight. Just like there are many ways to exercise. Some of those methods will not get great results or injure you in doing so. Some won’t. This kind of “diet” is among the latter.
Robert
November 25th, 2008 at 8:48 am
[...] Scott Colby placed an interesting blog post on An Investigation of Eating Cookies for Weight Loss - Abs …Here’s a brief overviewScott Colby put an intriguing blog post on An Investigation of the Cookie Diet for Weight Loss - Abs …Here’s a quick excerptSo I didn’t plan on doing another entire Abs Uncrunched Show dedicated to the Cookie Diet for weight loss. … [...]